Frequently Asked Questions

To apply to MSU Law, you must have earned your bachelor’s degree* prior to beginning classes at MSU Law and have a valid LSAT score on file with LSAC. In addition, MSU Law requires you to submit a personal statement (up to three pages), your resume, and a minimum of two letters of recommendation.

*Your degree must come from a nationally or regionally accredited institution, or from an international institution where the degree has been determined to be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. by LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS).

The application opens on or around August 1st of each year for the following year’s incoming class. For example, the application for the Fall 2019 incoming class will open on or around August 1, 2018. The priority application deadline is March 1st, while the application deadline is April 30th. Further information about the application timeline can be found on our interactive timeline.

MSU Law does not have an early decision, or other binding decision, program. MSU Law typically begins reviewing applications sometime in October and operates on a rolling decision basis. The Office of Admissions recommends submitting your application early in order to maximize your chances for admission and possible scholarship awards.

MSU Law functions on a rolling admissions basis. Thus, offers of admission are typically extended to applicants from November through April of each year. In the past, some offers of admission have been made as late as July or August (mainly for those offered admission from the wait list).

MSU Law will periodically place applicants on the wait list. With substantially more applications than spots available in each entering class, the wait list allows students to be allocated spots in the incoming class as they become available. Unfortunately, there is no set timeline for review of the wait list, nor a guarantee that students will receive a spot in the incoming class after being placed on the wait list. Traditionally, wait list decisions have been made as early as May and as late as August. If there is any change on your wait list status, we will contact you as soon as possible to allow you to prepare for the fall semester.

MSU Law is proud to have students from across the country and world. While roughly 58% of the Fall 2018 incoming class is from Michigan, the class also includes students from 27 states and 4 countries as well as close to 100 undergraduate institutions. More information about the Fall 2018 incoming class can be found in our class profile.

MSU Law offers a generous scholarship program for incoming students. All applicants who are going to be offered admission are considered for scholarship prior to the offer being extended. There is no separate application for scholarship. Scholarships range in dollar amount all the way up to full tuition. More information about our scholarships can be found on our scholarship page.

While your overall GPA is important, the application review process is focused on examining your complete undergraduate record. Improvement in your academic performance will be viewed positively. If exceptional circumstances (i.e., working to support yourself through school, personal issues, etc.) had a negative impact on your undergraduate performance, you are encouraged to submit a brief addendum in which you offer an explanation to the Admissions Committee.

There is no minimum LSAT that is required for acceptance, and there is no LSAT score that guarantees acceptance. With that being said, the median LSAT score for the previous incoming class will give you a good indication of the competitive nature of the applicant pool. However, the Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach to file review—all aspects of your application receive attention. We want to see “evidence” of your potential for success in law school, and your LSAT score is just one primary form of such evidence. If you are not satisfied with your initial LSAT score, we encourage you to consider taking the test a second time. You can also demonstrate your potential in law school through your past academic record and even skills developed through past work experience.

Nontraditional law students commonly bring a depth of experience, diversity, and motivation to the law school experience. As a nontraditional student, your skills and accomplishments relating to work and life experience become important in the application review process. You should do you best to ensure that your resume and personal statement provide insights into your post-graduation experiences.

Your graduate-level academic record can provide MSU Law with additional insight into your academic potential during law school. It is important to note that your graduate school GPA will not be factored into your overall undergraduate GPA, but will be considered as part of the holistic review process.

Yes, MSU Law offers a variety of opportunities for you to visit campus through organized preview days or individualized visits. To view any upcoming preview days, visit our events page. You can request an individualized visit through our online request form.

Yes, MSU Law does accept transfer applications. To be eligible to submit a transfer application, an applicant must have completed a minimum of 18 credits of law school course work at an ABA-accredited law school. While a holistic review process is used, heavy emphasis is placed on law school GPA and class rank. If admitted, MSU Law could grant a maximum of 43 credit hours for courses completed at other law schools when a grade of "C" or higher is earned. Admission decisions for transfer applicants are made on a rolling basis, typically within four weeks after your application file is complete. The application for transfer admission as well as additional information about the process can be found here.

MSU Law provides updates on your application via the application status checker. Once a final decision has been made on your file, you will receive an email. Please check your email and all junk/spam folders frequently throughout the admissions process.